N ew Delhi [India], September 23 : Australian Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen on Wednesday said that the India-Australia energy partnership was based on “complementary strengths”, highlighting the Solar Academy in Gujarat that will train 2,000 solar technicians. Speaking on the sidelines of the Chintan Research Foundation (CRF) Pre-COP Dialogue in New Delhi, Bowen said, “Well, the energy Partnership is based on complementary strengths and what we can help each other with. Take the Solar Academy in Gujarat, for example, which will train 2,000 solar technicians." He said the two countries were also working together on green hydrogen, with Australia bringing its research and capacity while India was developing complementary capabilities. “And the work we're doing on green hydrogen, for example, where Australia has good research and good capacity, and India is working on complementary things. So it's very much a relationship built on complementary strengths,” Bowen said. Bowen also highlighted the role of renewable energy amid the global energy crisis, saying the India-Australia partnership on energy could contribute to building reliable supply chains. “As I'm talking to Reliance and other players about fuel security, it's a reminder that renewable energy is reliable energy,” he said. “No war can interrupt the flow of sun to the Earth. No blockade can stop the wind blowing,” Bowen added. On COP31, Bowen said his negotiating priorities included electrification, access to finance for Small Island Developing States and the importance of oceans. “In relation to COP31, obviously, as I said, Minister Yadav is one of the world's most senior and respected climate ministers,” Bowen said, adding that he and Yadav had co-chaired negotiations on three occasions. He said further consultations would be held with India and other parties in the coming weeks. On adaptation and loss and damage, Bowen said the devastating floods in Nepal highlighted the importance of adaptation and resilience. “Loss and damage is part of that conversation, but as you said, parameters of loss and damage have been set at previous COPs. It's not front and centre of this COP agenda, but adaptation is, and resilience is, and it's part of the same conversation,” he said. “And the devastating floods in Nepal, which I'm sure captured the world's attentionI know captured Australia'sare perhaps the clearest and starkest reminders of what's at stake,” Bowen added. On adaptation finance, Bowen said the focus should be on ensuring vulnerable countries could access existing climate finance. “Our main focus is on making sure that those most vulnerable countries have access to the finance which already exists,” he said. On Australia's coal exports and its push for electrification, Bowen said the country recognised the need for a transition while acknowledging the continuing role of coal. “We know coal has a role to play in the system. And yes, we know you can't get rid of it or transition immediately. But we do need to transition,” Bowen said. “And Australia, as a fossil fuel exporter, recognises that and recognises that we, as a fossil fuel exporter, can play a role in that transition,” he added. On engagement with countries with differing positions, Bowen said COP31 would follow a consultative approach. “We are running a consultative process. I'm here with my friend Minister Yadav today. We always agree, Minister Yadav and I, but we still have to consult with each other. I'm off to Saudi Arabia after this for consultations. And you know, we will run a predictable, inclusive COP, an ambitious COP, but one which has been based on consultation,” Bowen added. COP 31 will take place at the Antalya Expo Center in Antalya, Turkiye, from November 9 to 20. Disclaimer: This post has been auto-published from an agency feed without any modifications to the text and has not been reviewed by an editor

M umbai (Maharashtra) [India], September 23 (ANI): Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray on Wednesday launched a blistering attack on the Election Commission of India (ECI), alleging that the poll panel is functioning as a partisan entity and has affected the voting rights of several Indians. Referencing the Indian Express report that stated that two Election Commissioners had raised objections multiple times over decisions related to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process and electoral roll procedures, Aaditya Thackeray, in a post on X, claimed that the institution has compromised its neutrality, alleging that actions taken by the commission have systematically disenfranchised millions of citizens. "This @ECISVEEP has transformed India into the world's largest former democracy! Working as agents for one Party, to finish off India's democracy, they have snatched away the voting rights of millions of Indians," Aaditya Thackeray wrote. Comparing the current state of affairs with the post-independence democratic framework, Thackeray argued that the universal adult suffrage hard-won by the country has been undermined. "What started off with Universal Adult Franchise when India won its independence has now been turned into selected voter rolls by this institution. The institution itself, once impartial, now a fraud!" Aaditya Thackeray stated. Meanwhile, Trinamool Congress (TMC) general secretary Abhishek Banerjee demanded the removal of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar and a court-monitored investigation, reacting to an Indian Express report which said that two Election Commissioners had raised objections multiple times over decisions related to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process and electoral roll procedures. "The CEC must be removed immediately, and a court-monitored investigation ordered. Disenfranchising lakhs of voters to allegedly benefit one political party strikes at the very foundation of our democracy. Those responsible must be held accountable," Banerjee said in a post on X." The Supreme Court cannot look away. The buck stops there. Will the CJI-led Bench act?" he added. Congress leader P Chidambaram also reacted to the media report, saying that if the report is correct, they would raise questions about both the decisions taken by the poll body and the decision-making process. "The news stories in the Indian Express today, if correct, shake the foundations of the Election Commission of India (ECI). There are two separate points: 1. Decision; and 2. Decision-making process," Chidambaram said in a post on X. The Indian Express report had said that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi objected at least 14 times over 10 months to decisions and orders related to the SIR process. The Election Commission sources, however, sought to downplay the report, stating that all decisions of the Election Commission of India, including those related to SIR, were taken unanimously with the approval of both Election Commissioners and the Chief Election Commissioner. Earlier in April, Opposition parties had moved motions seeking the removal of Gyanesh Kumar. In April 2026, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh had said that 73 Opposition Rajya Sabha MPs submitted a fresh notice seeking the removal of the CEC on grounds of "proven misbehaviour". Ramesh had said the notice was moved under Article 324(5) read with Article 124(4) of the Constitution, along with provisions of the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023, and the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968. Earlier, a similar notice was submitted in the Lok Sabha. The Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla later rejected the motion after consideration, according to a Lok Sabha bulletin. The Rajya Sabha Chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan also rejected the motion. (ANI)

N ew Delhi [India], September 23 : Australian Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen on Wednesday said that India was the “indispensable voice” in the future of climate and energy policy, highlighting its progress and role in delivering practical outcomes at COP31. Speaking at the Chintan Research Foundation (CRF) Pre-COP Dialogue in New Delhi, Bowen said he had chosen to visit India instead of New York, reflecting the importance he attaches to India, Australia and the COP31 process. He said, “Well, my friends, I had a choice this week: New York or New Delhi. I chose New Delhi,” Bowen said, adding that it was a “reflection of India's importance to me, and to Australia, and to the COP31 process, and our friendship.” “I’m so glad to be back in Indiathe indispensable voice in the future of climate and energy policy,” he said, noting that he had first visited India in 1998 and that this was his 14th visit. “Every visit reinforces the scale, the dynamism, the innovationall of which matter to the future of the global economy and the climate effort,” Bowen said. He praised India's progress on climate and energy, saying the country's experience was increasingly being cited in international discussions. “The Indian story is a remarkable one, one to be celebrated,” Bowen said. “Now, when I speak to global peers, I cite India's success and progress as a world leader, and I mean it.” As President of Negotiations for COP31, Bowen said he was in India to listen, learn and help build consensus for practical outcomes. “And as President of Negotiations for COP31, I am here to listen, to learn, and to help build the consensus needed to deliver practical outcomes,” he said. Bowen said COP31 would deliver a new Just Transition mechanism and stressed the need to translate discussions on mitigation and finance into action. “COP31 will deliver a new Just Transition mechanism,” he said. He added that discussions would focus on how to advance mitigation and finance “from negotiations to deliver a better impact in real-world action”, which could give the private sector confidence to invest and accelerate research, development, finance and investment. Bowen also highlighted Australia-India cooperation on rooftop solar, pointing to the Australia-India Rooftop Solar Training Academy in Gandhinagar. “It’s already delivering practical outcomes, including the Australia-India Rooftop Solar Training Academy in Gandhinagar, which will train 2,000 solar technicians in its first two years, creating opportunities for women and young people in particular,” he said. He said India would be an important partner in the COP process. “And India, as an important and respected member of the COP, will be a key and respected partner,” Bowen said. “I look forward to working closely with India to make COP31 a success: practical, focused, cooperative, and focused on delivery,” he added. COP 31 will take place at the Antalya Expo Center in Antalya, Turkiye, from November 9 to 20. Disclaimer: This post has been auto-published from an agency feed without any modifications to the text and has not been reviewed by an editor